May 2013
3 posts
4 tags
The theme of this week’s “1k” collection is something I can only call grotesque beauty… pieces that are a little disturbing, a little repulsive, but also completely intriguing and unforgettable. Jennifer Yorke, a Chicago artist I recently discovered on the impeccable Cureeo, is a master of grotesque beauty in my book. Her mixed media pieces above are delicate,...
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I’m almost as obsessed with these original cat collages by Brooklyn artist Grace Yang as I am with my own cat. They inspired me to put together a 1k collection dedicated to my favorite feline. This one’s for you, Miss Scratchy Pants Tiny-chan! xo
4 tags
Several years ago, on a whim, I bought a box lot of old 1950s menus on eBay. I was originally curious about the contents of the menus, but soon realized the true treasure was on the covers. They were beautifully printed with so much artistry. My new collection, as it turned out, consisted mostly of tiki lounge menus. One was a huge die cut palm leaf and many had beautiful...
April 2013
5 posts
5 tags
When I first started curate 1k, I used to worry about running out of artwork to post. Crazy, right? But I was seriously nervous I’d share all of my favorite artists and have nothing left feature. I was so wrong. One of the best things about doing this blog is having the opportunity to learn about all of the amazing artists, galleries, and art professionals that continue to join...
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Psst! Have you heard of Darger HQ? They’re a new online gallery own and run by artists, and I was lucky enough to be invited to guest curate a small collection of my favorites for them. The work above is just a sneak peek - check out the rest here through May 15th!
| from the top: ODES:: Classroom Heros (detail) by Mira Alibek, Just Watching by Chris Kienke, and THOU SHALT DIE...
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Shannon C. Rankin’s delicate vellum collages inspired this week’s 1k collection focusing on soft spring colors. Enjoy!
| All of the pieces above are for sale on Cureeo. |
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Wow. Aaron Smith’s paintings stopped me in my tracks. The artist took his fascination with the rigid yet vulnerable gentlemen featured in Victorian and Edwardian portraits and coupled it with jarring expressionist brushstrokes in vibrant, flamboyant colors. The results make you consider the buttoned-up, reserved Victorians we thought we knew!
PS - see an entire cast of...
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For this week’s 1k collection, I’ve decided to revisit the idea of altered landscapes. The pieces above are by Thursday’s featured artist, Letha Wilson. She cuts, bends, folds, and distorts her photographs in the most unsettling and surprising ways. I’m pretty much in love with everything she does. Enjoy!
March 2013
5 posts
5 tags
I am thrilled to present Jennifer Ruocco of Artspace as March’s guest curator! There are some magic moments in the life of a blogger when you get to collaborate with your idols… this is absolutely how I feel about Artspace. I’ve admired them since starting curate 1k back in 2011, and it’s beyond exciting to have Jennifer on the site this week. As a super flattering...
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Attention all artists! The deadline for UncommonGoods’ annual art contest is March 31st! It’s an opportunity to have your work judged by the Jealous Curator with an amazing prize of $500 plus a limited edition print sales opportunity through UncommonGoods! Pretty awesome all around. I can’t wait to see the winners! Find the submission guidelines here.
| The pieces...
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After a busy week at a new job and a last minute weekend trip to NYC, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to get a “1k collection” up this week! It would have been the first week I’ve missed since starting curate 1k back in August 2011! As I frantically searched the internet for unique and affordable pieces to share with you, I found myself drawn to what is clearly...
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The theme of this week’s 1k collection is “A Fine Line.” All of the works feature countless thin lines all coming together to create dramatic shapes. Each one exhibits a perfect combination of fragility and strength. Enjoy!
| The pieces above are by Friday’s featured artist Jennifer McGregor. |
7 tags
As you know, I’m always on the hunt for the latest online source of affordable art, so I was thrilled to hear that Lesley of Artsy Forager has started a new gallery project! Found is an online exhibition space dedicated to small works with accessible price tags. Some of my favorite pieces from the inaugural show, “City Mouse | Country Mouse” are featured above.
...
February 2013
4 posts
6 tags
I’m so pleased to announce Amelia Eichholz of the lovely Colour Bloc as February’s guest curator. I’ve been watching Amelia’s blog and art consulting business grow with a mix of admiration and envy. Her taste is exquisite and her day job - placing beautiful art in people’s homes - is to die for. Amelia and I both called Boston home, but sadly never crossed...
5 tags
This week’s “1k” collection is all about maps and was inspired by the gorgeous and delicate pieces featured above. They’re by British cut out artist Claire Brewster and I find them completely fascinating. I’ve always had a thing for the transformation of old paper. I love that something once as mundane as a map can be reimagined into a thing of beauty and...
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In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, you’ll find a whole week of pink over on curate 1k. Enjoy!
xoxo
| The lovely watercolors above are by Friday’s featured artist, Francesca Lancisi |
3 tags
I have always found black to be a difficult in a piece of art, which is funny because it’s practically my favorite color in every other aspect of life. In this week’s 1k collection, I challenged myself by working with darker pieces. It seems there’s a special balance that keeps the work from feeling too heavy, whether it’s a pop of unexpected bright color or the...
January 2013
3 posts
6 tags
I’m so excited to introduce Pepper Coate of Cureeo as January’s guest curator! I’ve had my eye on Cureeo for a while now and love the site’s clear aesthetic. As head curator, Pepper’s taste is impeccable. In addition to the gorgeous art for sale, Cureeo offers a recently launched Buyer’s Guide that makes the process of collecting more transparent and a...
4 tags
I cannot stop looking at Mary Iverson’s paintings. I’m as fascinated with the final surreal, Tetris-like result as I am with her process. Iverson creates majestic landscapes and then scores measurement lines into the painting, almost defacing her own work. From there she adds an assortment of shipping containers — the simple geometry and flat colors jarring against...
3 tags
This week’s 1k collection has a peculiar theme, but one that I like very much. All of the selections are structures with a particular “light” emanating from them. Some depict the warm glow of a lit window, and others, like the pieces above, radiate intense color. Cityscapes and lone buildings that might otherwise seem vacant and cold are brought to life.
| The pieces above...
December 2012
2 posts
5 tags
I am all for the glitz, glam, and festivities that traditionally usher in the new year. So, as we say hello to 2013, I offer you a Fancy Pants-themed 1k collection over on curate1k. Literally… there are some very fancy pants being featured on Wednesday, alongside other other artworks showcasing beautifully rendered textiles and colorful costumes. Put on your party clothes and...
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It’s a UGallery week over on curate 1k! Stay tuned for five of my favorite pieces totaling exactly $1000! And - just in time for the holidays - I’m excited to be offering a coupon code for 15% off UGallery purchases through December 21! Just enter curate1k at checkout. Enjoy and Happy Shopping!
| Since I’ve skipped my usual holiday gift guide this week, be sure to check...
November 2012
3 posts
6 tags
This 1k week is all about fragments and memories. Nostalgia is one of my favorite themes in a piece of art; something I share with Danielle Krysa (also known as The Jealous Curator). Danielle is Friday’s featured artist and selections from her new Assemble show are above. They make me feel wistful for childhood and high school. The bursts of color on the otherwise faded...
4 tags
This week’s 1k collection is decidedly feminine with a splash of melconcholy. Sometimes it’s tough being a girl.
The works above are by Monday’s featured artist, Clare Elsaesser. Stumbling upon her work on Etsy was one of those great art discovery moments that take my breath away. Her paintings are painfully beautiful. I can’t stop looking.
4 tags
After several super bright weeks, I’m turning down the color dial. This week’s 1k collection is all about sepia tones. The grayish-brown hues can be both tranquil and haunting, and they seem quite fitting for the brisk transition into winter we’re experiencing here in Pittsburgh.
I have been admiring the graphite drawing above for quite some time. It’s by...
October 2012
4 posts
3 tags
This week’s 1k collection has oranges and corals in common, along with some bursts of pink and blue. I loved putting this group together, and I’m definitely crushing on some new color combinations (check back on Friday to see what I mean!). Until then, enjoy a sneak peek above, with Tigers by Thursday’s featured artist Giovanni Garcia-Fenech.
3 tags
You’ll find $980 worth of pink pieces over on curate 1k this week in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The screen print above can be found in the Olive & Joy Etsy shop. Enjoy!
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So the dust is finally settling after our big move from Boston to Pittsburgh. We’re a little nervous, but mostly optimistic about starting this next chapter in life. Pittsburgh is leaps and bounds more affordable than Boston (our number one reason for leaving), and we’re hoping we can lead a more fulfilling, creative life here.
There is still cleaning to be done and...
4 tags
Sorry in advance for things being a little quiet over on curate 1k for the next week or two. I’m right in the middle of a pretty big move from Boston to Pittsburgh. Moving (specifically packing) is high on my list of life’s most stressful events, so I’m taking my time and trying to stay organized. While this week’s “1k” collection is somewhat abbreviated as...
September 2012
3 posts
6 tags
I’m so pleased to present Kurt Yalcin of the fabulous UGallery.com as September’s guest curator. Kurt brings a fresh, masculine perspective and has skillfully put together a collection totaling exactly $1000. So impressive! Here’s Kurt:
My name is Kurt Yalcin and I’m the Community Manager at UGallery.com, an online art gallery! Our mission is to support artists and make fine...
4 tags
The next two weeks will be flora and fauna themed over on curate 1k. It seemed like an easy task, but I found the floral week to be surprisingly difficult to piece together. It was challenging to find interesting, fresh (and affordable!) takes on flowers, but I’m super pleased with the final result.
Katie Vernon, featured above, blends beasts and buds perfectly. I think her...
4 tags
Inspired by The Jealous Cuartor’s recent post on Sarah Gee and her mesmerizing circles, I’ve put together a collection of $958 worth of hypnotic art over on curate 1k this week.
The trippy and humorous pieces above are by Tuesday’s featured artist, Ben Giles. Ben’s original collages range in price from $16 to $130 in his Etsy shop, and his artwork can also be...
August 2012
5 posts
5 tags
A year ago, shortly after starting curate 1k, I timidly reached out to Kate Singleton of Art Hound. With barely a month of posts under my belt, I was nervous emailing the author of such a successful and beautiful blog, but our shared interests compelled me to hit send. At that time, Kate was just about to launch Buy Some Damn Art, an exquisitely curated online gallery of affordable, original...
3 tags
Happy 1st Birthday to curate1k!
It’s so hard to believe a whole year has gone by! In the last 12 months, I’ve compiled 240 pieces of affordable art and loved every minute of it. Thanks to everyone for following along! In honor of this special occasion, I’m putting together a little birthday wish list. Enjoy!
| The tempting cakes above are by illustrator Elizabeth Graeber....
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When I was a little girl, my grandmother and I had a favorite drawing game. She would draw a shape, letter, number, or squiggly line and I then added to it attempting to turn it into something completely different, yet recognizable. Sometimes we would pass the drawing back and forth, each adding a little bit here and there until it morphed into something beautiful. I have very happy...
4 tags
This week, over on curate 1k, I’ll be presenting a small, but completely lovely group of woodland-themed art totaling $996. Wednesday’s featured artist, Graeme Todd, is behind the bold, yet delicate pieces above. Browse more of his work for sale at Edinburgh Printmakers. Enjoy!
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Today was a big day. After an instant and strong connection to Greg Hart’s latest paintings, I pulled the trigger and finally bought one. I’ve admired Greg’s work for a long time and have studied the evolution of his style on his portfolio site and some of my favorite art blogs. I thought I missed my chance to own one of his works when his Buy Some Damn Art show sold out...
July 2012
4 posts
6 tags
A big, happy welcome to July’s guest curator, Lesley Frenz of Artsy Forager! As a devoted “artsie,” I’m thrilled to be featuring her selections, including curate 1k’s first featured sculpture. Here’s Lesley:
Hello Curate 1k readers! My name is Lesley Frenz and I am super excited to be guest curating this week. After years of being a single girl in the...
4 tags
You’ll find warm colors and whimsy over on curate1k this week, including a print of a proposed book cover by illustrator Delphine Lebourgeois. I find her work completely magical and had to share several of her non-commissioned book cover designs above. All were featured in her 2011 solo show “Over the Cover” at Frameless Gallery in London. Love them so much you have...
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I’m pleased to be presenting a week of lazy summer pursuits over on curate1k, including an original painting by Sara Caracristi. Her work, featured above, gives us a bird’s-eye-view of pedestrians, cyclists, and seemingly rambling crowds of people. I love the attention paid to their shadows. You can see more of her work on her portfolio site, blog, and Canada’s...
4 tags
I started out piecing together this week’s 1k group with a baby nursery theme in mind, but the whimsical, pastel art I was gathering quickly took a sharp turn towards fantasy and I didn’t look back. Over on curate1k you’ll find 6 pieces that transport you to different worlds, including a print by the extremely talented Jeremy Miranda, whose work I’m featuring above....
June 2012
5 posts
5 tags
While planning next week’s curate1k group, I came across the weird and wonderful mixed media work of Catherine Mellinger on Etsy and loved it too much to tuck it away for later. Everything in Catherine’s Etsy shop is original and pieces range in price from $60 - $90. There might be a purchase in my near future…
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I am thrilled to introduce curate1k’s very first guest curator, Kaitlyn Webb Patience of isavirtue. I think Kaitlyn’s approach to blogging about art is one of the most thoughtful out there, and it turns out she’s pretty awesome at finding affordable art, too!
Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Webb Patience and I post obsessively about art on my blog isavirtue. I have a serious penchant...
4 tags
I find Ryan Pickart’s paintings completely mesmerizing, so it’s no surprise he was one of the first artists I bookmarked when I decided to start curate1k. The glow and patterns in his work are reminiscent of Klimt, as is the quality of being caught between a dream and waking life. With many of his originals hovering around the $1000 mark, they are a splurge in the realm of...
4 tags
It’s been a gloomy week in Boston and feels more like October than June, so I’ve put together a week of sunshine-y, brightly-hued pieces over on curate1k. The paper and thread collages above are by Wednesday’s featured duo, Robert Roth and Cheryl Roth, of The Beach Garage. They have a totally happy, 1950s vibe. Love them!
5 tags
I’ve been wanting to do a week of fiber art and embroidery for a long time, but found it difficult to meet the $1000 parameters set forth on my site (i.e. this stuff is beautiful and super affordable! Go buy it!). But the stars have finally aligned and I’m delighted with every single piece I’ll be featuring on curate1k this week.
I also had to take this...
May 2012
3 posts
4 tags
Apartment living in Cambridge can be tight to say the least, so we’re super fortunate to have a deck off of our secondstory place. There’s a great big tree that grows up alongside it, providing shade in the summer and spectacular color in the fall. There’s also a series of power lines and telephone cables that run right next to it. They’re pretty complicated,...
4 tags
This week’s curate1k group is all about the sideways glance. As I browsed the dozens of artworks I have bookmarked for possible inclusion on curate1k, it was pretty interesting to see just how often the indirect gaze is used.
The piece above is by Wednesday’s featured artist, Deborah Stevenson.
1 tag
Hello! I’m back from an amazing trip to Morocco and my mind is officially blown by the stunning and ever-changing landscape of the Atlas Mountains. As we traveled across the country, my husband and I experienced some of the most beautiful sunsets and night skies I have ever seen, which serve as inspiration for my first week back blogging… you’ll find a lunar-themed week...
April 2012
5 posts
4 tags
I have a pretty major obsession with antique postcards and have been collecting them since I was a little girl. I love the artwork and photography on the front, but my fascination is really with the messages on the back. Some are no nonsense and to the point, others are silly and full of personality, and some are downright mysterious. All offer a sense of romance and nostalgia.
As you...
